Vortex VMX-3 Eye Relief

[AdamVIP]

It seems the sites selling the vortex 3x magnifier state the eye relief is 3.25" but the vortex site says 2.2". I'd tend to go with the manufacturer but it's not just one vendor. They all say 3.25". Is it a typo on the manufacturer site or everyone else's?

I'm trying to decide to pair an eotech exps2-0 with a primary arms long eye relief or a vortex VMX-3. I have a folding rear so I'll have to keep the magnifier forward of that.

Any suggestions?

[AdamVIP]

Well i contacted vortex last night and got a response back. The first response was that it had 3.25 inches. I told them their site listed it at 2.2 and they should fix that. I then got a response that the "sweet spot" is between 2 and 3 inches.

I thought eye relief was essentially fixed.

[ch3ck5ix]

I have a VMX-3 and the eye relief is closer to 2" and the glass is pretty clear. That being said, I also have a Primary Arms 3x extended eye relief magnifier which in my opinion has better eye relief than the VMX-3, equivalent glass and is less expensive -- you should check it out.

[goodlookin1]

Had one. Sold it.

The glass, when looking through a second optic, such as Eotech or Red Dot, is anything but clear. Not terrible, but not great either. You're looking through extra panes of glass, so there's more to muddy up the sight picture.

Second, 3.25"? That's a joke. From what I remember, it was 2" at best....it felt like my TA31F, which is 1.5". Yes, it can be used at 3", 2", etc....but you will not see the entire sight picture. Field of view was fairly small too from what I recall.

In the end, it did not enable me to do anything that I couldn't do with just the Eotech by itself. It was heavy, it was bulky, it was......pointless, IMHO.

YMMV.

[AdamVIP]

I ended up with a primary arms long eye relief. I havent measured the actual distance to my eye but I can keep my cheek on front the stock with it extended all the way back.

[ExtremeX]

Hopefully it works out better for you than it did for me…

After going through and RSD / magnifier exercise a couple times I realized it wasn’t for me… If I use a RDS optic it’s by itself.

To fill the need/want for magnification I started using low powder variable scopes like 1-4x and 1-6x optics and haven’t looked back since. They proved to be a very nice versatile setup for a general purpose rifle.

[LBDamned]

I strongly agree with the post above...

I previously used several RDS/magnifier combos... and now have variable on all rifles (four have 1-4, one has 1-5 and four have higher magnification)... I kept an Aimpoint Pro with Lucid 3X magnifier and LaRue QD swing mount, just because I like the option to use it - but haven't used them for a couple years.

To address the questions of eye relief... I use second notch on a mil spec adjustable stock (I don't know the LOP) and Magpul fixed MOE stock is about perfect for my comfort (I think it's a little shorter than second notch though)... with that reference, the PA extended eye relief gives favorable vision... Lucid is decent eye relief with better clarity (to my eyes)... Vortex was to short for my shooting style (if you are nose to charging handle, the Vortex will be fine).

Variable (1-4, 1-5, 1-6) will almost always give more eye relied than a 3x magnifier... many are true 1X and can work as RDS (but not all have bright daylight visibility)... the versatility, compactness (compared to RDS/mag combined) and weight of a variable scope, combined with the quick detach (one unit rather than two) - makes it a better choice imho.

YMMV.

[safety-1st]

I just bought one and it arrived yesterday. I was playing with it and the eye relief was very short. I guess 2inches like everyone else says, seems to be correct. I had to take off my rear iron sight to push the vortex back enough so I could get proper eye relief.

The 3x is excellent and the glass is clear. Eye relief is not so bad if you adjust it properly. I see many people remove their rear irons for this piece which I feel is a no no. I'm going to put my rear iron back and try to play with the placement of the vortex magnifier.

[AdamVIP]

I was going to go 1-4 scope but couldn't find a reticle I liked in a price I could afford. I also didn't want to deal with eye relief at 1x and I doubted I would ever use the 1.1x-3.9x mag settings. I would just use 1x or 4x. The magnifier just seemed easier. I do wonder how much weight I would have saved with a 1-4 though. Ive noticed the rifle is a bit portly these days.

[ExtremeX]

I was going to go 1-4 scope but couldn't find a reticle I liked in a price I could afford. I also didn't want to deal with eye relief at 1x and I doubted I would ever use the 1.1x-3.9x mag settings. I would just use 1x or 4x. The magnifier just seemed easier. I do wonder how much weight I would have saved with a 1-4 though. Ive noticed the rifle is a bit portly these days.